Commerce, education strengthen Zim-India relations

Oscar J Jeke

Business, trade and educational linkages have strengthened bilateral relations between India and Zimbabwe, Minister of Foreign Affairs has said.

The remarks emerged at a local hotel on Friday when India was celebrating its 75th Republic Day.

The two countries have had excellent bilateral relations, which have expanded to include investments, developmental cooperation and education, with collaboration in education seeing 250 slots reserved and offered to Zimbabwean student scholarships.

A total of 1 863 Zimbabwean students were studying in India last year.

In his remarks at the event, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Frederick Shaba reiterated that the two countries have enjoyed strong ties with cooperation in areas such as trade, commerce, education and cultural exchange, which have diversified bilateral relations.

“I am also pleased to not that the trade and economic linkages between Zimbabwe and India are equally getting stronger with each passing year, with more investments coming to Zimbabwe from India,” Shava said.

Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Vijay Khanduja also added that India enjoys a good relationship with Zimbabwe with interaction of the two countries resulting in more investments and collaboration in education.

“The presence of Indian investments is growing too. Well known Indian corporates include Zimco, David Whitehead Textiles, Agro Value Chain, Varun Beverages, Raha Cooking Oil and Surface. The corporates based here are also expanding and diversifying their businesses,” Khanduja said

“In the last three years, over 3 600 students have gone to India. The Government of Zimbabwe has enlisted prestigious universities and awarded 250 presidential scholarships for Zimbabwean students to study in India last year. India is offering 250 itech slots to Zimbabwe,” Khanduja added.